Cyber-security concerns growing in New Zealand

Thursday, April 25th, 2013 - Roy Morgan Research

As new technology continues its inexorable advance into New Zealanders’ lives, Kiwis are discovering that owning a smart phone, tablet or laptop can raise tricky issues about privacy and cyber-security.

As new technology continues its inexorable advance into New Zealanders’ lives, Kiwis are discovering that owning a smart phone, tablet or laptop can raise tricky issues about privacy and cyber-security. And with debate raging over proposed legislation to allow spy agencies and the police to conduct cyber-surveillance on New Zealand citizens, these issues are more relevant than ever.

According to the latest findings by Roy Morgan Research, the last two years have seen a huge rise in the adoption of new technologies in New Zealand. Smartphone ownership has increased threefold from 12% to 36% of Kiwis aged 14+, while ownership of tablet computers has skyrocketed from just 5% of the population to 25%. Laptop/notebook computer ownership shows more moderate growth, from 53% as of January 2011 to 57% by January 2013.

While there’s no doubt that new technologies can make our lives easier in many ways, they also expose us to potential privacy risks. As more New Zealanders adopt these technologies, they’re simultaneously becoming more concerned about the accompanying risks.

In the last decade, the proportion of New Zealanders who agree with the statement ‘I’m worried about invasion of my privacy through new technology’ has increased from 54% to 62%, rising four percentage points in the last two years alone.

Of course, not everyone is a card-carrying technology convert. Different people adopt new technology at different rates — some even actively resist it. Roy Morgan Research has identified six Technology Adoption Segments among the New Zealand population, from Early Adopters to Technophobes, each perceiving cyber-privacy issues from their own distinct perspective…

Pip Elliott, General Manager, Roy Morgan Research NZ, says:

“What with proposed changes to the Telecommunications (Interception Capability) Act meaning that network operators may be obliged to assist police and spy agencies in matters affecting ‘national and economic well-being’, cyber-security issues are currently a hot topic in New Zealand.

“As increasing numbers of Kiwis adopt new technologies such as smartphones and tablets, they’re realising there’s a flipside to the convenience these gadgets provide — and it’s a source of concern for them.

“Internet entrepreneur Kim Dotcom isn’t the only one awaiting the final revision of this legislation with interest.”

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Roy Morgan Research is Australia’s best known and longest established market research and public opinion survey company. Roy Morgan Single Source is thorough, accurate, and provides comprehensive, directly applicable information about current and future customers. It is unique in that it directs all the questions to each individual from a base survey sample of around 55,000 interviews in Australia and 15,000 interviews in New Zealand annually - the largest Single Source databases in the world. The questions asked relate to lifestyle and attitudes, media consumption habits (including TV, radio, newspapers, magazines, cinema, catalogues, pay TV and the Internet), brand and product usage, purchase intentions, retail visitations, service provider preferences, financial information and recreation and leisure activities. This lead product is supported by a nationally networked, consultancy-orientated market research capability.Shaun EllisP: 03 9224 5332W:www.roymorgan.com